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<p>Our 25 Year Environment Plan, launched last week, demonstrates our continued commitment
to protect the oceans to ensure the UK continues to be a global leader in protecting
seas, oceans and marine life through a variety of measures. We now have nearly 300
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in UK waters and by 2020 we will deliver a network of
MPAs that will cover 25% of the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone. We are also on track
to protect 4 million square kilometres of ocean across the UK’s Overseas Territories
by 2020.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Later this year we will have completed a major
assessment of how far our seas have moved towards good environmental status since
2012, and intend to consult on the findings later in the year. The UK has also been
working with the 15 Contracting Parties of the OSPAR Convention to produce a major
assessment of the status of the North East Atlantic Ocean, the results of which were
published last year.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We are also leading the way in
tackling the plastic waste devastating our marine environment – our 5p plastic bag
charge has taken nine billion bags out of circulation and we have introduced one of
the world’s toughest bans on harmful microbeads. We are also investigating whether
we should introduce a Deposit Return Scheme for plastic bottles and other single use
drinks containers, and will shortly launch a call for evidence seeking views on how
the tax system or charges could reduce the amount of single use waste. In addition,
we have asked one of our specialist committees to review evidence on the use of microplastics
in a range of products, and their chances of reaching the seas – and we are commissioning
further research to better understand their impact on the marine environment.</p><p>
</p><p>The UK will be playing an active role in securing a new international agreement
for the conservation and sustainable use of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction.</p>
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